THE 2011 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale ended on a high on Sunday, when lot 599, the penultimate lot on sale, was knocked for R1,2 million to John Freeman. The chestnut colt, consigned by Varsfontein Stud, is named True Master. A son of Jet Master, he is out of Grade 3 winner Bushra.

Champion sire, Jet Master, enjoyed a great sale with 35 of his 37 yearlings sold for an aggregate of R21 325 000, making him the leading stallion by aggregate. He averaged R609 286, which made him the leading sire by average, with five or more sold.

Overall, the sale posted an aggregate of R115 310 000. Of the 600 yearlings catalogued, 557 went through the ring, and just 65 failed to find homes.

The sale’s average price was R244 301, down from last year’s average of R324 557. No fewer than 16 yearlings made R1 million plus. The top priced yearling to sell was Heart’s Content, lot 196. The filly, consigned by Varsfontein, is by champion sire Jet Master out of the stakes winning mare, Jalberry.

Varsfontein Stud enjoyed a fantastic sale, and ended up as the leading vendors by aggregate. Their 17 lots to sell made R7,055 million, and averaged R415 000. Leading vendor, by average, was Varsfontein Stud (As Agent), they sold seven yearlings for an average price of R 706 429. Form Bloodstock were the most prolific buyers, and purchased 20 yearlings for an aggregate of R10,2 million. – TBA.co.za

Photo: Lot 189, a Jet Master colt from Island Squauw (The Alchemy Stud), bought by Form Bloodstock for R1,7 million.